The Great Debate

[jwgh]

There is an object that is frequently used in some communities as a symbol of hospitality, to welcome people.







Last night, at 1 am, in the parking lot of Nick-a-Nees, I overheard part of a discussion about what that object is. I thought both sides made interesting points, so I thought I'd see what you all thought.

[Poll #1024868]

(I include the third option for completeness.)

Comments

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

...LThis article is basically how I always heard it; the very foreignness of the pineapple led to its popularity as a rare luxury item in Europe, and the associations in colonial America followed.

[stumpsforhands.livejournal.com]

That's all well and good, but the object on the Federal Hill arch is not a pineapple, it is a pinecone. And it is not there as a symbol of welcoming, it is there as a symbol of prosperity.

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

Looking at that picture closely... I don't think that's the same thing as in the other picture!

[cgoldfish.livejournal.com]

yeah, we've been schooled. he's right.

[jwgh]

I am skeptical anyway. The thing has leaves on top that look an awful lot like pineapple leaves to me.

http://www.ccri.edu/italianclub/LittleItaly.html says:

Is that a pineapple or a pine cone?

Many people are puzzelled by the figure under the main entrance underpass at "Providence's Little Italy". In fact, hanging from the underpass is "La Pigna", an Italian symbol for hospitality and for sharing of abundance.